Edinburgh Morning News 16/3

The pairing of defending champions Carrick Knowe and record six times title winners Craigentinny in the first round proper of The Specsavers sponsored Edinburgh Cup sparked a tumultuous response from a passionate audience of bowlers attending the Annual Sportsmans Dinner of The Edinburgh Bowling League.

The draw for the 20th playing of the EBLs showcase knockout club event, conducted by President Brian Jempson, saw the temperature of the packed to capacity Bainfield venue rise towards boiling point as the first ten clubs out of the hat didnt include top guns such as Tanfield, Parkside, Slateford, Sighthill, Craigentinny, and Carrick Knowe.

Having all escaped the prelim round the 260 punters new some first round crackers were in prospect so there was an expectant hush of bated breaths then an explosion of frenzied noise when Carrick Knowe popped out then followed by Craigentinny. It would have made for a perfect final but the luck of the draw is just that and you can tell from the crazed reaction that The Edinburgh Cup is on the lips of the boolers right from the start of the event, reflected EBL secretary Robert White.

The top note of the draw had just been preceded by the pairing of former cup winners Queensberry/Leith and Mayfield/Tanfield, also former great Water of Leith rivals Bainfield and Sighthill while the debut season of WOL giants Slateford pitches them against Corstorphine. The full draw reads; Prelim Round: Willowbrae v Summerside; Hillside v Northern; Dudley v Wardie; Queensberry v Leith; Maitland v Blackhall First Round: Balerno; Mayfield v Tanfield; Bainfield v Sighthill; Carrick Knowe v Craigentinny; Parkside v Postal; Slateford v Corstorphine.

West Lothian IBC gents saw their dream of Scottish Cup glory dashed by a crushing 8-2points defeat at the hands of Falkirk in their quarterfinal played at East Kilbride. Falkirk were the form book favourites having reached the playoff final of the premier league however a classic encounter had been envisaged given that West Lothian had been runway winners of the Division 1 North title. Neutral territory against top class opposition gave West Lothian the opportunity to flash a strong signal ahead of next seasons return to the premier league that their 2015/16-relegation nightmare was behind them and they were once again good enough to mix it with the best. But just six ends into the match their mental toughness was being seriously challenged with Falkirk forging ahead on all four rinks having dished out a heavy punishment that earned them a massive 30 shot lead.

Whilst WL managed to steady the ship and avoid even more substantial damage they were unable to rock the Falkirk boat as the premier league team traded on their comfort zone cushion to bag the shot aggregate points with an 86-50 score. Calum Logan spared the blushes of a complete whitewash by skipping his rink of Connor McKendrick, Blair Mackie, and Des Hagart to a good 20-12 win over Gary Flynn. Te other rink scores were; Mark Allison 12 John McHutchison 32; James Speirs 8 Steven Allan 23;Thomas Mann 10 Martin McCalley 19.

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